O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVII/1 [S# 98]

JANUARY 1-APRIL 26, 1865.--The Campaign of the Carolinas.
No. 133.--Report of Bvt. Maj. Gen. Alpheus S. Williams, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, of operations April 6-May 24.

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HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, TWENTIETH CORPS,
Near Washington City, D. C., May 27, 1865.

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the movements of this division from Goldsborough, N. C., to this point:

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RICHMOND TO ALEXANDRIA.

May 11, the corps marched at 10 a.m. toward Richmond, this division leading. In the village of Manchester the command was received with military honors by General l)evens' division, of Twenty-fourth Corps, drawn up in line. Crossed over the pontoon bridge at 12 m. and marched through the city in column, with colors displayed and bands playing. The line of march passed the Libby Prison, Castle Thunder, the State capitol, and through the principal streets. The division encamped in a heavy thunder-storm near Brook Creek on the Hanover pike; marched ten miles.

May 12, the division still leading, marched at 4.30 a.m. Six miles from camp there was a delay of two hours to rebuild a bridge over the Chickahominy. Taking the road through Ashland Station I crossed the South Anna on Blount's Bridge and encamped a short distance north, marching seventeen miles. May 13, the march to-day began at daybreak, this division leading. Crossing New Found Creek and Little River, I encamped at 1.30 p.m. a mile south of Anderson's Bridge over theNorth Anna after a march of fifteen miles. May 14, the division having the advance marched the same hour as yesterday, crossed the North Anna on pontoon bridge, and took a circuitous route toward Spotsylvania Court-House. The Mat, Ta, and Po, and several other smaller creeks were crossed during the day's march; encamped south of Spotsylvania Court-House after a march of sixteen miles.

 

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